Studbook report 2003 Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri Reptilia / squamata / opluridae Gerrit Hofstra Bosscheweg 36 5151 BD Drunen 1 Contents Contents............................................................................................................................................ 2 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................3 Madagascan iguanids....................................................................................................................3 Subspecies.....................................................................................................................................4 Activities 2003..................................................................................................................................5 Imports Births an Deaths.................................................................................................................. 6 Perspectives...................................................................................................................................... 6 Keeping conditions........................................................................................................................... 6 Enclosure...................................................................................................................................... 6 Climate..........................................................................................................................................6 Food.............................................................................................................................................. 7 Social behavior............................................................................................................................. 7 Literature on the species................................................................................................................... 7 Cited literature.................................................................................................................................. 7 2 Introduction. Madagascan iguanids Madagascar has two genera of Iguanids the monotypic genus of Chalarodon and the genus Oplurus (6 species). This studbook deals with the genus Oplurus. Most Opluridae with the possible exception of O. fierensis, which is only known from a single location, are not threatened in the wild, however originating from Madagascar, with its ongoing habitat destruction, this status might soon change. The ESF studbook of the species is founded because of the small genetic base of the registered captive population and therefore the need for careful breeding to avoid unnecessary inbreeding. Even though imports do occur occasionally there are very little reports about breeding the species, there is no reason to expect a large captive population outside the studbook. The more reason to be careful with the registered population. For a proper identification of Madagascan iguanids see the key below. Key to the Madagascan Iguanids (Glaw 1994) 1a Small species (up to 223 mm TL) generally living on sandy Chalarodon ground; a continuous dorsal crest is present madascariensis 1b Larger species (at least up to 250 mm TL) generally living on rocks Oplurus (2) or trees; dorsal crest absent or restricted to the neck 2a Tail with large and distinct spines; a small dorsal crest is present 3 on the neck; mainly arboreal 2b Tail without large spines; no dorsal crest; mainly living on rocks 4 3a Scales of the tail with spines which distinctly alternate in size; Oplurus cuvieri northern west coast 3b Scales of the tail with spines of similar size; south west Oplurus cyclurus 4a Dorsal scales coarsely granular, tail slightly depressed at its base; Oplurus four longitudinal dorsal series of large dark patches, more or less quadrimaculatus distinct 4b Dorsal scales finely granular, tail base and body strongly depressed 5 (distinct longitudinal folds along the flanks), no dark markings on the back 5a A distinct light dorsal stripe is present; scales of vertebral region Oplurus grandidieri hexagonal, larger than dorsilateral scales 5b No distinct dorsal stripe; scales of vertebral region similar to 6 dorsilateral scales. 6a Back brownish, with vermiculations; often with a dark patch on Oplurus saxicola the flank behind the foreleg insertions 6b Back uniformly bluish gray; no dark patch on the flanks Oplurus fierinensis 3 Subspecies O. cuvieri has two subspecies; the Madagascan population O.c.cuvieri and the population of the Comoren; O.cuvieri comorensis. Even though there are no subspecies described for Madagascar there is a distinct difference between the specimen from the northern and the southern part of the range, where the Jersey specimen represent the more bluish northern type. For the other Madagascan Iguanids there are no subspecies described. Oplurus fierensis Oplurus cuvieri (Juvenile) Oplurus grandidieri Oplurus cyclurus Oplurus quadrimaculatus 4 Detail tail Oplurus cuvieri Oplurus saxicola Copyright Photo’s Oplurus cuvieri, Oplurus cyclurus, Oplurus fierensis, Oplurus grandidieri and Oplurus quadrimaculatus Peter Mudde; “Onder het palmblad” http://www.palmblad.nl/. Oplurus saxicola Moritz Grubenmann Tail details Gerrit Hofstra Detail tail Oplurus cyclurus Activities 2003. In 2003 there where no publications or field research conducted by studbook participants Planned activities 2004 The studbook keeper is currently working on a short publication on Opluridae that will be submitted to the magazine of the Dutch herpetological society Xenopus . Studbook population The current studbook population is 37 animals of 2 different geographic varieties. If the animals originated from Krefeld are unrelated (as these most likely are animals originating from the wild, this is a fair assumption) the total number of bloodlines is 2 possibly 3 for the Jersey group and 6 (3.3) presumably wild caught animals from the other group. The three founder females have all died, one without any offspring, two with 2 offspring both. The situation with the males is unclear. Animal 8 has a lot of offspring, this bloodline should be considered as fully incorporated. Male 1 has at least 2 offspring possibly 4. Male 7 could have 2 offspring, but could also have none at all. This means that the current basis of this studbook consists of 3, 3,4 or 4 bloodlines, depending on the correct sire for studbook number 16 and 17. 5 Imports Births an Deaths In 2003 there were no imports, 5 births at location Rotterdam Zoo and 2 births at location Zwartepoorte. The animals at location Zwartepoorte died within 2 months. There were no further deaths reported. Perspectives Keeping results for healthy well-adapted or hand-reared specimen are very good, with the oldest animal in the population estimated at 30 years, but at least 26 years of age (expected to be at least 2 years at the transfer to Rotterdam). Breeding results are fair to good (the population is increasing) but breeding is mainly at one facility (Rotterdam Zoo) and for the last few years with only one reproducing couple. The number of bloodlines available is very poor and serious inbreeding is already a fact at the location Zwartepoorte. A genetic advice about a recoupling of animals has been send to Hofstra, Zwartepoorte and Rotterdam Zoo Even though breeding results are fair the number of bloodlines seems insufficient for a long-term survival of the studbook. Introduction of the Jersey animals, even though they are from a different geographical region, could temporary release the inbreeding stress on the population. This option should be discussed with the studbook participants. Infant mortality at location Zwartepoorte is high, much higher than at location Rotterdam Zoo. There could be a lot of reasons for this one being the species being extremely intolerant to inbreeding. Keeping conditions Enclosure Opluridae are active diurnal lizards. Even captive bred animals stay very shy and skittish So a large terrarium fit with plenty of hiding places seems essential for their well-being. I keep Oplurus c. cuvieri in dry terrariums sized 1,1x 80 x 60 (LBH) 1 pair per tank. Since this is an arboreal species a higher tank might be beneficial but seems not to be essential. The tank is structured with large logs and thick vertical branches that they seem to prefer. They need a rather hot space to bask. Climate quarter of the island and Pyxis from the extreme southwest this combination seems Three keepers (Hofstra, Rotterdam and to work out fine even though the temperature Zwartepoorte) combine Oplurus cuvieri in the south is a few degree’s below that in cuvieri with the small Madagascan tortoise the north. Pyxis arachnoides. Despite the fact that O. Basically the climate consists of a “wet” cuvieri originates from the northwestern summer (regular spraying of the tank but 6 overall moisture low, temperatures 30-34 degree, and a dry winter (no spraying, Tulear, Madagascar* drinking water is however available) neerslag T. max. T. min. temperatures around 20 degree. Keepers 50 100 Hofstra and Rotterdam Zoo have adapted the 90 animals to the northern hemisphere as in the graph.. 40 80 70 m C 30 60 ° m e r on tu 50 i a t r a t e p pi i m 20 40 c e e T r 30 P 10 20 10 0 - l r i v c n n g p kt u b p e j o e a u u e o j j e mrt a n f d m a s Pyxis a. arachnoides, Oplurus c. cuvieri Food Oplurus are mainly insectivores but greens are occasionally eaten. Healthy they are eager feeders